[Domesteading 00239] Re: query

[John E. Johnson]

 Venting the interior of the dome thru the cupola does not resolve this
issue. 
 What we try to vent is the small air spaces under the shingles that occur
in between the struts, insulation voids, and under the felt and shingles.
Believe it or not it has to go out or it will condense.
 Passive venting thru the side walls to and thru the soffitt has worked for
us in every case.
 A sure way to tell you have this rot is often invasive, such as pulling off
shingles at the very top. It will usually show up at the base of the top
pentagon triangles first.
 Yellow stains in the inside sheetrock means it's well advanced and probably
into the frame.
 Foam domes seem to have more localized rot in the upper plywood.  Just
finished one in Tn... Classic case.
Most of the rotted framework happens with the extreme roof "fix" of spraying
the outside with foam or an elastomeric coating is used. NOT a good idea.
 Ants seem to like the white Styrofoam insulation the best. This was the
basis of one or two concrete dome kits and it is a real hassle to get fire
ants out of that foam. Telltale signs are little white piles around the
domes exterior. They always take it out for some reason.
 Fiberglass insulation allows you to actually get pesticide vapors up into
those areas. This insulation does actually breathe a little.
 Send me some photos Bob V.

 John E. Johnson
newagedomeconstruction.com
-----Original Message-----
From: domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
[mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of Robert Vance
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 11:01 AM
To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid living
Subject: [Domesteading 00232] Re: query

"Cracking the upstairs windows" is to vent the "humidity ...in the closed
system of the dome (????)". How did this humidity get there and does it need
venting? My main problem now is "Acrobatic ants" (...I've had a recurrence
of them and am wondering how I can get rid of them - the local pest control
company I used apparently thinks "dead" as in "killing ants", means that
they "come alive again periodically!").

Our dome can be seen at
http://homepage.gallaudet.edu/janet.vance<http://homepage.gallaudet.edu/jane
t.vance> it's a two story, three bedroom, two bath dome.
BobV!
  ----- Original Message ----- 

  Oregon domes is a good kit...but they don't build houses...just
  manufactured components. Our kit is also panelized but not nearly as
  expensive and we use heavier components all the way to the plywood.
   They(Oregon) actually have used US to solve some of their more vexing
roof
  problems over the years though they kept me a big secret(like the rest of
  the kitcos who used us) till I learned to use a dad blamed computer.
   We vent our domes thru the sidewalls of the cupolas in various ways. It
  changes from dome kit to dome kit and climate plays a factor.
   I don't understand when you say a "slight crack in your cupola windows".
  Doesn't compute. 
    There are a lot of prophets and naysayers in the industry who may have
had
  a success story or two to base their reputation on. We have quite an
  extensive list of builds and repairs for our prospects to talk to.
   Not a single callback in 36 years of building them. I know...I know, I'm
  going to break my arm patting myself on the back but Will Rogers said" If
  you been there , it ain't braggin"
   Send me some pictures of your cupola and let's get a look at what we're
  dealing with.


   John E. Johnson
  newagedomeconstruction.com

  -----Original Message-----
  From:
domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com<mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com
>
  [mailto:domesteading-bounces at sculptors.com] On Behalf Of Robert Vance
  Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 4:53 PM
  To: A forum for the discussion of aspects of independent,off-the-grid
living
  Cc: Tom Bland; T. Chappel Aldridge; Thaddeus Vance; Duane Eldridge
  Subject: [Domesteading 00228] Re: query

  John, Now my interest is up - our dome is in southern Delaware and I had
  been debating about putting a slight crack in my cupola windows. Do I have
  an "actual" concern for this? I ask this because I had many "Sayers of
doom"
  and vice-versa, professional and non-professionals give me conflicting
  advice concerning the "humidity content" of "a dome structure" and how it
  will cause "x y z to occur" ...most of which were "unpleasant".
  Incidentally, I opted to ignore all and follow the directions of the
company
  I purchased the dome (Oregon domes) ...so far, the earth hasn't caved in
and
  other than a roof leak (repaired easily), everything "seems" to be
  copasetic. 
  BobV!

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